Despite a lawsuit that seeks to nullify the state’s decision to require all eighth-graders to take Algebra I, Whittier-area educators say they will continue preparing students for that goal.

Last week, the California School Boards Association and the Association of California School Administrators filed suit against the SBE for the way it decided at its July 9 meeting to require algebra for all eighth-graders.

They claim the SBE failed to give proper notice to the public that it was considering such a “fundamental change” to state policy. They also claim the SBE doesn’t have the authority to mandate when algebra should be taught.

As such, the CSBA and ACSA are asking a Sacramento County Superior Court judge to set aside the SBE’s action.

Local educators said they agreed with some of the lawsuit’s claims, but it won’t change their efforts to prepare students for algebra.

“We will certainly watch any lawsuit closely, but we also have a responsibility to make sure students are prepared for the requirement, which is supposed to be phased in on a three-year time period,” said Phillip Perez, superintendent of the 5,000-student Little Lake City School District in Santa Fe Springs.

“Our eyes are on that three-year time period, and the fact that the clock is ticking.”

And while officials at the 8,800-student East Whittier City School District say they had already been examining how to boost the numbers of eighth-graders taking algebra, they don’t want to force unprepared students into those classrooms.

“We do not believe every (eighth-grader) should be in algebra because not everyone is ready for that,” said Assistant Superintendent Dorka Duron.

“If we make a change at one level, it will have a trickle- down impact. So whatever we do, we will look at it from different angles,” she said. “We don’t want to push kids into algebra at the sake of not teaching standards at other grade levels.”

Back in July, the governor-appointed SBE voted 8-1 to authorize the algebra requirement. That followed a last-minute push by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and despite opposition from state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell and school districts.

As such, CSBA Executive Director Scott Plotkin said, “The SBE didn’t provide the public with an opportunity to express how such a change in policy will have significant ramifications for all aspects of the educational system.”

That includes areas like teacher credentialing, allocation of instructional time, professional development, instructional materials and strengthening K-7 math standards, Plotkin said.

Perez said when the SBE’s decision came down, it was “disappointing.”

“Word came over the Internet, and suddenly there were press releases and advocacy notices beyond the 11th hour,” Perez said. “Just the suddenness and seeming lack of public input and discussion was disturbing.

“If a local district were to make a decision in that same manner,” he said, “it would be highly suspect.”

The SBE is scheduled to discuss the algebra mandate during a 9:30 a.m. meeting Thursday at the California Department of Education in Sacramento.